When WAFCON 2026 kicks off on July 26th, Nigeria's 10-title dynasty will be on a collision course with two of the continent's most dangerous forwards. The Women's Africa Cup of Nations brings a 16-team field to Morocco, and the Super Falcons' Group C draw of Zambia, Malawi, and Egypt may be the hardest path to the knockouts.
Group C: Nigeria Battles Zambia and Malawi
Zambia captain Barbra Banda brings proven scoring ability from her club role with the Orlando Pride. She has been clear about her team's intentions, saying African sides now arrive expecting to win trophies rather than simply fill out the bracket.
But Zambia isn't WAFCON's only threat.
Malawi leans on Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga and her sister Tabitha, who captains both the national team and Olympique Lyonnais, to power their attack in the country's first-ever WAFCON appearance.
All three forwards represent the depth of talent now spread across the continent.
FIFA World Cup 2027 Qualification Ups the Cup of Nations Stakes
Beyond the title, the stakes climb higher.
All four semifinalists earn direct qualification to the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027, while losing quarterfinalists compete for two additional intercontinental playoff spots. That added layer turns every group-stage match into something closer to a knockout.
2026 WAFCON groups:
- Group A: Algeria, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal
- Group B: Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Tanzania
- Group C: Egypt, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia
- Group D: Cameroon, Cape Verde, Ghana, Mali
WAFCON runs from July 26th through August 16th across Rabat, Casablanca, and Fes. The top two teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals.
